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Friday, November 2, 2012

New York Thoughts

Runners are all a little bit crazy, myself included. Off our rockers so to speak, but for the most part in a good way.

I can't imagine the heartbreak of the runners who were already up in New York. Who were literally at the Race Expo, picking up their packets when the announcement was made.

I can't imagine the hundreds, possibly thousands of runners who got the news shortly after their planes had landed at JFK/LaGuardia; the first thing they see when turning their phones back on.

However

I also can't imagine suddenly not having a home. Every single possession that I own suddenly irrelevant due to water damage. Being stranded in the midst of a gigantic city because I don't have any gas.

I can't imagine any of that.

I see both sides of the heartbreak. And I have to say, I fully support the cancellation.

I love running, I understand the passion that goes into it. When you train for something for months, literally schedule your life around your runs, deplete your social life so that you can get up early to train ... and the race itself doesn't happen... I get that heartbreak. You have every right to be sad, to mourn.

But not to be angry. Please don't be mad. Because more anger, more hatred, more pissed off people... that's the last thing this country, the East Coast, and specially New York City needs right now.

Because although The New York Marathon, The New York Road Runners, Mayor Bloomberg - whoever it was who decided to cancel the biggest race in the country about 36 hours out - did it in a horrible shitshow of a fashion, I believe it was 100% the right call.

If you have any a shred of a heart, you just have to see the bigger picture. In the midst of a city in shambles, still scrambling to get back on their feet, still half under water - literally - this was simply not the weekend to make the focus point running. It was, is, and will be for awhile about recovery. (something that every runner is familiar with)

"If they take one first responder from Staten Island to cover this marathon, I will scream," New York City Councilman James Oddo, who represents parts of Staten Island and Brooklyn, said on his Twitter account. "We have people with no homes and no hope right now." - source

My hope is now that the thousands of runners who were already in New York when the announcement was made, that you are still able to do something while you are there. Any way that you possibly can, help another human out. You are already there, so why not?

1 comment:

Kate, I'm glad you were on the right side of this situation, morally. The right thing to do, would have been for the marathon organizers and sponsors, to donate all entry fee's collected, to the relief efforts for those affected, and to send each race "participant" if you will, an official, frameable, document claiming they were a part of the relief effort on behalf of the New York City Marathon. This New York Cir=ty marathon is NOT broke....it is a for profit organization. The entire proceeds of this years revenues should have been donated to the relief efforts. This could have really been a shining moment for this sport. But, I'm glad you chose the right side of this.